In this issue ...

The Editors’ Collection

Fall is rapidly approaching, and so our thoughts turn to cardis, shawls, and other autumnal and winter items. This collection showcases a variety of our newer designs for fall from a wide swath of Patternfish publishers and designers.

Lina & Meia are relatively new to Patternfish, but are really making a splash. This graceful, gently flourishing shawl truly deserves the name Bailarina.

Kelene Kinnersly Designs

Moment Of Passion Shawl

Erica Mount Designs

Southernmost Hat

Erica Mount Designs

Southernmost Mittens

Lina & Meia

Bailarina

When the weather turns cool, we mustn’t forget about our feet. Lucy Neatby’s designs are fantastic, but we were particularly taken by her Serendipity DK Slippers. This pattern is particularly detailed, with charting for each size, and ten technique video links. A great pattern for the experienced knitter.

Surprisingly easy to knit, Sarah Jordan’s Wynne shawl is boldly colourful and visually intriguing. Knitted top-down, this crescent shawl is quick and satisfying, and makes a great all-season piece.

Be prepared for the first blast of winter weather with Lisa Uotinen’s cosy Hooded Cowl. This will carry you through the coldest weather and keep you toasty warm. This pattern has been throroughly tech-edited and test-knit like so many of Tinker Creek Handknit’s patterns, and it’s an easy knit, so enjoy!

Lucy Neatby

Serendipity DK Slippers

Sarah Jordan

Wynne

Tinker Creek Handknits

Hooded Cowl

There’s a reason that classics are classics: they endure all fashion trends and never tire. Sue McCain’sLexington Top Down Cardigan for Basix is a prime example of this, and while it definitely feels like a fall accessory, it is at home in any season at all!

Many designers revel in mathematical complexity. Lindsay Lewchuk (Knit Eco Chic) is no exception, and invites you to bring your own coding to the CIA Cowl. Fully tested, and ready for your secret message!

Sometimes simplicity of design creates an eye-catching result. A case in point is Taiga Hilliard’sFirst Blush, a shawl that will get you noticed.

Knit Eco Chic

CIA Cowl

Knitted in Switzerland

Oh La La Socks

Taiga Hilliard Designs

First Blush

And now something for the guys: the Man’s Jacket (the name says it all, doesn’t it?). This is a Patternfish web exclusive pattern by Mari Lynn Patrick for Naturally.

Karen Butler has created a classy shawl in the Grain Field Stole. Estonian lace patterns, gathered stitches, and other features create a light, airy fabric.

We were grieved to learn of the recent death of Elena Nodel. She was wonderfully talented. Through Anadiomena’s Designs, she created a tremendous range of patterns, including this delightfully colourful piece for kids and tweens: the Plum Pudding Cardigan, sized for everyone from 12 months to 14 years.

Proceeds from the sale of her designs continue to go to her family. Look for a fuller celebration of her design career in our next newsletter.

Lantana is a lovely scarf by Laura Patterson for Fiber Dreams. Knit on the bias to create ever-changing colours, accented by little beaded flowers, Lantana is a real knockout.

Oh Canada! One of Patternfish’s perennial favourites, Sally Melville, has created this fantastic sweater in celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial. Margaret’s Gift has a lovely story behind it. Check out the pattern description on our website to learn more.

Robyn Gallimore of Red Bird Knits finds inspiration in all kinds of places. For this Patternfish world exclusive pattern, she used motifs from antique Japanese fabrics to create this soft and delicate cowl.

Donna Estin Designs

Northern Girl's Fair Isle Tam

RubraC

Autumn Morning Chill

Red Bird Knits

Japanese Motif Cowl

WORLD EXCLUSIVE

A strikingly bold colour and a strikingly asymmetrical design, make the Legion Jacket by Michele Meadows for Diamond Yarns a stylish and deeply feminine piece.

We wrap up our fall collection with a very clever pattern that beautifully combines two dramatically different textures: the Enmesh cowl by Janelle Martin for Eclectic Closet Knitting Designs.

Diamond Yarn

Legion Jacket

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Janelle Martin

Enmesh

Here's Crochet!

This is a selection of the some of the top crochet patterns, a mixture of fantastic new ones and older favourites.

Everyone loves 10 Hours or Less. Their patterns live up to the brand name: you can put these together super fast, but they don’t look it! Bevy of Butterflies is a fun and whimsical scarf that practically filet crochets itself!

Lena Fedotova has a wide range of patterns, both knitting and crochet. Her ZZZ Top uses the Tunisian entrelac technique, which is explained in detail. Pressed Violets is a stunning shawl that provides a great accent to anything you might wear.

10 Hours or Less

Bevy of Butterflies (in crochet)

Lena Fedotova

Zzz Top (Tunisian crochet)

Lena Fedotova

Pressed Violets

Amy Maceyko of Structured Stitches has created something really special with the crocheted Perambulating Cowl. The extensive use of post stitches create a highly textured, stretchy work of art.

Handknits by Elena’s Yelena Chen has created a lovely little headband for a baby girl, which is a great project for a beginning crocheter, and makes a nice gift.

Our last crochet pattern for this newsletter is a wonderful classic, and a Patternfish World Exclusive pattern. Create a real family heirloom with the 2-Ply Matinee Coats, one knit and one crochet, from Peter Pan.

Designer of the Month: Lara Smoot

Lara has been featuring her patterns on Patternfish for a number of years. We love the imaginativeness of her designs, her beautiful use of colour, and the playfulness of her cultural references.

Here is our Q and A with Lara.

How did you become a designer?
I've always been very creative. When I was a child, I would sew little stuffed animals from scraps of fabric and was making my own patterns back then. I still have a little stuffed horse that I made. Later on, I designed and sewed custom riding clothing when I was showing horses. Designing knitting patterns was a natural progression and a way to express myself through my art.

Lara Smoot Designs

Hearts in Owlantis

Lara Smoot Designs

Eclipse

Lara Smoot Designs

Tyrion's Gift

What inspires you?
I find inspiration everywhere. From a beautiful sunset, to a design I see in the bark of a tree growing in the forest behind our home.

Lara Smoot Designs

Catching Katniss

Lara Smoot Designs

Ferry Beach

Lara Smoot Designs

Sugardance

Do you have established goals for your business other than selling patterns?
Yes, I love seeing knitters learn new things and challenge themselves. So many times I hear that a knitter is afraid to try a new technique. I tell them that there is nothing in knitting that you can't do!

Which designs of yours are your personal favourites?Mother of Dragons is probably my favorite. It's a deceptively easy knit and works up well in variegated or solid yarn. I also really like Stash Bash because it's a great stash or scrap yarn buster and is easily adjustable to the amount of yarn that you have on hand.

Lara Smoot Designs

Mother of Dragons

Lara Smoot Designs

Stash Bash

Lara Smoot Designs

Iridill

How do you think the pattern design world will change in the next ten years, and why?
I've seen a trend of indie dyers designing patterns in the yarn that they dye. I think this is going to grow and expand even more over time. Customers love being able to purchase a pattern that is written for a specific yarn as it takes the guesswork out of what yarn to use!

Lara Smoot Designs

Despicable Socks

Lara Smoot Designs

Arya's Needle

Lara Smoot Designs

The Outer Limits

How did you come to the decision to list your patterns on Patternfish?
Patternfish is very well known and has a wonderful amount of resources. I'm honored to have my patterns available on Patternfish.

Many designers like mathematical tricks and puzzles. Annika Pelosi, Deb Gemmell, and Elizabeth Fallone, who together form Knitacation, are no exception; particularly with their fantastic Pi Socks, which (you guessed it) use the timeless mathematical constant as an inspiration.

Knitacation

Pi Socks

Knitacation

Graduating Triangles

Knitacation

Gradient

While Patternfish is home to many patterns by Classic Elite Yarns, designer Lillian May is a relatively new arrival. Welcome to Patternfish, Lillian!

Classic Elite Yarns

Adelaide

Classic Elite Yarns

Mendon

Classic Elite Yarns

Hero

Deja Joy of Knit and Crochet Ever After has added a ton of patterns to our website over the past number of weeks. We’re delighted to see so many of her patterns, and so will you be!

Knit and Crochet Ever After

Braided Infinity Scarf (crochet)

Knit and Crochet Ever After

Pretty Utility Basket (in knitting)

Knit and Crochet Ever After

Lincoln Beanie (crochet)

Knit and Crochet Ever After

Alien Invasion Knit Beanie (child to adult)

Knit and Crochet Ever After

Lazy Cable Blanket (knit)

Knit and Crochet Ever After

Travel Pillow (in crochet)

More Newsletters

After a break for the summer, we will, by popular demand, be resuming our regular newsletter schedule. You can look forward to the October newsletter towards the end of the month.